Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

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Pinellas County political activist and blogger Tom Rask is once again gearing up for battle. Legality of a controversial post-evacuation re-entry permit program has led the Seminole resident and government watchdog to sue Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri for violating public records law. Rask is the 52-year-old editor of Tampa Bay Guardian, a website “founded on the premise that independent journalism is important for achieving accountability and good government.” Rask is also well-known locally as a Tea Party activist, as well as…

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office fired seven deputy recruits Monday morning after an investigation determined they had cheated on a test. Seven “deputy recruits obtained copies of actual FTO exams, used the exams to their benefit, cheated and lied,” said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. “We have nothing in the law enforcement profession without our integrity and there is no place for cheaters and liars in law enforcement and certainly not in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.” The recruits, all hired on…